His volunteer team are carrying on his appeal, which has now been running for over 20 years. This year they are helping the Salvation Army with their meal run.

Ringwood Staff and students helped by collecting fruit, tins, soup, pasta and beverages just some of the many items of food that were donated.

The collection will then be split up and distributed to homeless shelters in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Plymouth and London that have no official funding.

The school’s guidance and achievement coordinator Nigel Himmel said: “It brought tears to the eyes of some of the charity workers that arrived to help collect the items.

“They said they were tearful as they could just imagine all the good that this was going to do.

“Thanks to everyone for their mammoth contributions. The total number of items was 2,272. This is amazing and will take some beating next year. Overall we have made a huge contribution to the lives of homeless people in the south and the students have had the chance to make a difference.”

n OLDER people in Ringwood were treated to an afternoon of festive fun at Ringwood School on Monday.

The school’s sixth form host the annual event, which is now in its seventh year, and along with carol singing and bingo a two-course supper was served up.

Sixth form teachers provided transport to help the housebound reach the party.

One Ringwood resident said: “It was a delight to have the opportunity to experience the obvious joy the students experienced in entertaining us all, and to be able to talk with some of them about their aspirations for the future.